Twenty-Fourth Meditation

"Faith is the realization of what is
hoped for and evidence of things not seen."
(51)

"For in hope we were saved. Now
hope
that sees for itself is not hope. For
who
hopes for what one sees? But if we
hope for
what we do not see, we wait with endurance."
(52)

"Love is patient, love is kind.
It is
not jealous, (love) is not pompous,
it is
not inflated, it is not rude, it does
not
seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered,
it does not brood over injury, it does
not
rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices
with
the truth. It bears all things, believes
all things, hopes all things, endures
all
things. Love never fails...So faith,
hope,
love remain, these three; but the greatest
of these is love." (53)

In Disguise

The white tunic of faith, so pure,
Shields her soul from deceiver's lies;
For Him, faith's trials she'd endure;
Faith is the core of her disguise.

The green chain-mail of hope protects
The senses -- her eyes gaze above
The world's ways and their effects
To look only to Him with love.

The red toga of charity
Beatifies and lifts her soul
To Him who is her verity --
Lifted from self, she is made whole.